What to Expect

Prior to Procedure

Talk to your doctor about your medications. You may be asked to stop taking some medications up to one week before the procedure.

Leading up to your procedure:

Arrange for a ride to and from the procedure.

The night before, eat a light meal. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight.

Anesthesia

Local anesthetic will be given to numb the throat. It will also help to prevent coughing and gagging. Sometimes, a bronchoscopy is done under general anesthesia. In this case, you will be asleep.

Description of the Procedure

The bronchoscope is a long, thin tube. It will be inserted through the nose or mouth. The scope will be passed down the throat and into the lungs.

The scope sends an image of the lung tissue to a monitor. The images and the scope may be used to remove a small tissue sample. If a foreign body is present, it may be removed through the scope. If a lavage is planned, a water solution may be used to wash an area. The solution is then removed and sent to a lab for examination.

Immediately After Procedure

The removed tissue or secretions will be sent to a lab for examination.

How Long Will It Take?

Less than 1 hour

How Much Will It Hurt?

Anesthesia prevents pain during the procedure. You may feel a tugging sensation when the doctor removes a tissue sample. You may also have some breathing difficulty or shortness of breath during the procedure.

Expect some soreness in your throat and hoarseness for a few days after the procedure. Any discomfort after the procedure can be managed with medications.

Post-procedure Care

At the Care Center

Right after the procedure, the staff may:

Take an x-ray of your lungs.

Encourage you to sip water. You will gradually progress to solid foods.

At Home

When you return home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:

If you had to stop medications before the procedure, ask your doctor when you can start again.

Be sure to follow your doctor's
instructions.

You may be given a report after the sedative wears off and you are alert. It may take a few days to receive results from a biopsy. It may take up to six weeks for findings from a tuberculosis test. Ask your doctor when to expect your results.

Call Your Doctor

After arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

Signs of infection, including fever and chills

Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain

Coughing up more than a teaspoon of blood

Severe nausea or vomiting

Increased or unusual stridor, which is a noisy sound that is heard when breathing

Pain that you cannot control with the medications you have been given

If you think you have an emergency, call for emergency medical services right away.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.